Olympics, Election Give Gannett a Boost in 3Q

Gannett Co Inc reported better-than-expected revenue and higher profit on strong television advertising from the Summer Olympics and the U.S. presidential election and online subscription revenue from its newspapers.

The owner of newspapers and television stations said on Monday that third-quarter revenue rose 3.4 percent to $1.31 billion. Analysts expected revenue of $1.29 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

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Net income increased to $133.1 million, or 56 cents per share, from $99.8 million, or 41 cents per share, in the same quarter last year. Analysts expected earnings per share of 53 cents.

Still, investors sent shares down 3.6 percent to $17.25 in early trading on Monday despite the positive numbers.

Evercore analyst Doug Arthur thinks investors were looking for a bigger upside. "The stock has done awfully well," he said about the 26 percent run-up over the past three months.

A record for third-quarter revenues at its broadcasting division and a moderating decline at its U.S. newspapers suggested the momentum will continue into the fourth quarter, said Benchmark Co analyst Edward Atorino.

"Political (advertising) is going off the chart, and newspapers are on track, which is encouraging," he said.

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Gannett, the largest U.S. newspaper chain with 82 properties including USA Today, implemented a plan unveiled earlier this year to reduce its dependence on advertising at its newspapers and to capitalize on broadcast TV.

As a result of a digital pay model rolled out to 71 markets, circulation revenue rose 10 percent at its U.S. newspapers.

Even the pace of advertising declines has begun to slow. Advertising revenue at its publishing division fell 6.6 percent, compared with an 8 percent decline in the second quarter.